Gene Autry gained fame in motion pictures as the first American singing cowboy, eventually establishing a business empire by carefully investing his film earnings. Rivalled only by Roy Rogers, he appeared in nearly 100 cowboy films, usually in the company of his horse Champion. He also recorded more than 600 songs, many of which he wrote or co-wrote. Like all early country performers, his first musical influence was Jimmie Rodgers, and this 23 track, 65 minute compilation focuses on this seminal period of Autry's recording career before his film persona took off.